Josh Epstein and Daniel Zott of JR JR (formerly known as Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.) have finally come into their own. That’s not to say that they were anything to laugh at in the past, but as Epstein candidly put it, “before we felt as if the name was freeing, then it became very constricting. Now we feel free again, and it’s allowed us to create songs like this…” The band then plays “Break My Fall” from their newest LP, which couldn’t have been more perfect.

As a long time fan, I’m obviously glad that the boys from Detroit are playing bigger venues like Webster Hall, but I personally think they shine in smaller venues. Last year, they decidedly played smaller venues in order to be more intimate and try out new material. It’s in these places that their big sound reverberates through every person in the room and every single person can’t help but dance. In Webster Hall, which can house 1,500 concertgoers, their sound (although grand in it’s own right) gets lost in the venue’s subpar system. It’s an unfortunate side-effect of successfully building a solid fanbase.

BUT WAIT! There’s hope! JR JR will be circling back around to us in their (second) favorite city. They’ll be playing a smaller show in Brooklyn’s Rough Trade where they’ll also be signing copies of their self-titled LP. So if you’re like me and love to be up and close with your favorite band, you’ll want to head over to Rough Trade on Monday 11/9, snag a copy of the album, and receive 2 wristbands for the show.

 

More info here:
http://www.roughtrade.com/events/2015/11/1775

Setlist:

As Time Goes
Don’t Tell Me
Morning Thought
Simple Girl
Vocal Chords
James Dean
War Zone
Hypothetical
Caroline
Run
Electrical Energy
Break My Fall
In the Middle
Almost Lost Detroit
For My Bro